News Story

August 20, 2008

Doorstop interview at the Pacific Island Forum in Niue

In this doorstop interview from the Pacific Island Forum in Niue, the Prime Minister spoke about the forum, political stability in the area and the signing of the first of the Pacific development partnerships with the Governments of Papua New Guinea and of Samoa. Mr Rudd also responded to questions on the forum, Commodore Bainimarama, aid in the region and the Pacific Island Guest Worker Scheme.

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News Story

August 20, 2008

Partnership for Development with PNG and Samoa

This media release announced that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today signed Pacific Partnerships for Development with Prime Minister Somare of Papua New Guinea and Prime Minister Tuilaepa of Samoa at the Pacific Forum Leaders' Meeting in Niue. These Partnerships commit Australia and their partners in the Pacific to work together to meet common challenges, in particular to make faster progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and their partners' development goals.

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News Story

August 19, 2008

Joint Press Conference with NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark, Auckland

In this joint press conference in Auckland with New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, the Prime Minister spoke about the good relationship between the two countries, the critical global challenge of climate change, the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum and the array radio telescope project. Both leaders also responded to a range of questions from the media.

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News Story

August 19, 2008

Even Closer Economic Relations - Speech to Australian and New Zealand CEOs

In this speech at a lunch hosted by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to Australian and New Zealand CEOs, the Prime Minister spoke about the important relationship between Australia and New Zealand and the ties between business people, sportspeople, academic communities and tourism and travel. Mr Rudd then discussed the economic relationship between the two countries, the roles and responsibilities with the Pacific Island countries and the ways to work together on the global challenge of climate change.

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News Story

August 18, 2008

Commodore Bainimarama’s decision not to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting

In this media release, the Prime Minister noted Commodore Bainimarama's decision not to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting in Niue. Mr Rudd stated that Fiji will still be, despite the Commodore's absence, a major feature of Leaders' discussions in Niue.

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Feature Story

First 100 Days

The Prime Minister released a report today outlining the Government’s Achievements in its first 100 days in office. The report outlines the first steps the Government has taken towards delivering its election commitments and preparing Australia for the challenges of the future.

First 100 Days - Achievements of the Rudd Government - MS Word 781KB | RTF 1.4MB | PDF 296KB

Feature Story

National Apology to the Stolen Generations

The Prime Minister made a national apology to the Stolen Generations in the House of Representatives on Wednesday 13 February 2008.

In his speech the Prime Minister apologised to Australia's indigenous peoples: for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians; for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, communities and country; for the pain, suffering and hurt of the Stolen Generations and for the indignity and degradation inflicted upon a proud people and a proud culture.

His speech looked ahead to a future of resolve, of mutual respect, and equal opportunity with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.

Read the text of full apology ...

A live webcast of the national apology is available from the Parliament of Australia website.

Feature Story

Australia 2020 Summit

The Australia 2020 Summit is to be held in Canberra on 19 and 20 April this year. The Summit will help us shape a long term strategy for the nation’s future – covering the economy, infrastructure, our environment, our farmers, health care, indigenous Australians, the arts, national security, how we improve our system of government, and how we strengthen our communities and ensure nobody is left out of Australia’s future.

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Feature Story

Australia Day Message

In his Australia Day message, the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, spoke of our nation’s past achievements and his optimism for the future achievements of the nation.

Watch the video message ...

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Feature Story

Community Cabinet

The first Community Cabinet Meeting was held at the Canning Vale College in South Eastern Perth on Sunday, 20 January 2008. About 600 people attended the public forum which included 90-minutes of open Question & Answer. People were also able to make individual meetings with ministers.

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